""The greatest gift I ever had came from God, and I call him Dad!" Those are my words for today, 12 years ago you left us, so long ago. My love for you brings back so many memories how I wish we could be together forever. I miss you Dad!!! Love, Patti"

"What a "beautiful" evening, Friday, when I stopped by your memorial!!! Stars shining, peaceful, quiet.....a wonderful feeling!!! You deserved every bit of that memorial & I know how proud you were to have served your country. Your memories are shared with others, a picture of your memorial was published in the Norfolk paper in August. Thanks to Keith & the awesome job he did to set things up!!! Think of you & Mom everyday & all the precious memories.....you showed us "love" & taught us to respect & be there for others.....it's not material things, but who we are deep down inside & I will always be grateful for that!!! Miss & Love you, Kathy"

"Dad, I'm sorry I didn't write to you yesterday, my computer didn't work So today I want to wish you a Happy Birthday. Letting you know how much I miss you and love you with all my heart. There's so many memories we have together as a family. My heart misses you dad thank you for being there for me always. LOVE PATTI"

"...I woke this morning thinking of you, Dad, Happy Birthday...you are missed. So today I celebrate you and the beautiful gift of your life in mine and I am grateful that you are part of who I am. The best part of me is you and mom...love you, Dad, always....Jean"

"Dad, just thinking of you and mom and thought I'd let you know how much I love and miss you. The summer has been hot and we could use some rain already. The crops look great so I pray to God all goes good for a bountiful harvest this fall. All of your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren seem to be doing good. I can't keep track of us all but we to are all getting older. I miss not being all together, family means so much but t realize dear God has a plan for us all.Well my I have you in my heart and my memories are inside. I love you, Patti"

"Gracious God of Peace, I thank you for one brave soldier I call 'Dad'... as like many other brave men and women, he risked his life for our liberty. There are many reasons I love you, Dad...I am proud for the soldier you were - your courage and bravery in war ... and I am mostly proud of the special Dad you were in my life and for so many others. Love you, Dad ... your daughter Jean"

""Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."- G.K. Chesterton When courage is put into perspective like this, I marvel at the levels of such courage you have, Grandpa. Everytime I untwist a chocolate tootsie-roll I think of all the times you handed me a few. You are a courageous soldier, but also a big goofy grandpa that would lick my ear when I went in for a hug."

"I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you on this Memorial Day 5-30-16 for all men and women who have served our country."

"Happy Memorial Day to my Dad and Mom, thinking of you both today and missing you more as I get older. Today dad is a tribute to you, for serving our country in World War II. I was told what a great soldier you were, how you fought. The metals you have are a proof of it. I am so proud of you. I loved hearing the stories you told when you were in the army you told them with great dignity, you never left out the words, my buddies and me. So this day I honor you dad, MY HERO!!! Love you Patti"

"Dear Dad and Mom, I wanted you to know that Holly and Kyle had a little boy on Febr.15th, 2016. He is so sweet, I got to go to Texas to be with them. It was wonderful, Guess what Great Grandpa James, this new little baby's name is after you, his name is James Kyle. You would be so happy for them. He is a cute little baby, Hope to make a farmer out of him!!! I wish you were here to see him, maybe you can look down and see him. I miss you both so much. My love be with you both."

"Dad and Mom, Merry Christmas to you both. I miss you so much, my heart misses you. I was remembering Christmas past how beautiful they were, our family was so close in caring and love. But today I have a favor Dad and mom. Gene's dad, John has passed away and if you see him and Erma will you give them hugs from Gene and I. WE have you all in are hearts and missing you and all the memories we share. God be with you all and one day we will be together."

"It has been 11 years since you left us dad my memory of you is so strong. Just as I always thought you were as I was growing up. I always felt safe when I was with you. If there was a storm outside and we had to go in the basement, when we would be driving on muddy roads going somewhere, driving in snow storms. Or just having a picnic outside of our home after chores were done for the day. How our lives have changed and you are gone but i will always remember your smile and laughter, I would tell myself yes thats my dad and how I love him."

"Thinking of you Dad...I always loved working the fields, getting ready for planting season. Some of my best memories were on the farm, helping you & Mom...you showed us how to work & appreciate what we had!!! Miss you & Mom~~~wish we had one more day~~~Love you, Kathy"

"Thinking of you, Dad & Mom, not only today but every day. So glad you left us with all the "precious memories"...miss you so much, wish we had one more day!!! 20 years ago today, I stayed overnight at the hospital in Sioux City with you, after your neck surgery. I will never forget when your pillow went flying out the door(you threw it) & said "my Momma told me there would be says like this"!!! Hugs, Love you, Kathy"

"I stopped by the heroes park today, to member the great heroes who have served our country and fought for our freedom. Also stopped to say a prayer and read the "Just A Common Soldier" memorial at the park. As I pulled up the flags were whipping in the bitter cold wind but I got out of the vehicle anyway. And as I stood there and read "Just A Common Soldier" the wind stopped long enough for me to finish reading. Ten years seems like such a long time that Grandpa Jim has been gone but when I think of all the memories his family still shares with each other, it makes it feel like just "Yesterday" he was with us. Thanks for all of the great memories Grandpa, Love You bunches ~Jenny!"

"My dear Dad, Happy Veterans Day to you today. This also was the day 10 years ago that you left us to be with our heavenly father. How I miss you. You seemed so strong, coragous, caring and loving as I was growing up, I always felt so safe when we were together as a family riding in the car or looking out the door of the house when there was a storm coming. Taking care of us anytime. You were my HERO!!! I trusted you with all my heart. So on this Veterans Day I remember you. I miss and love you, Patti"

"My dear dad and mom, a new year has come, 2014. How the years go by. For some reason as those years go by I miss you more in my life. I wish you both were here to be with us and see your grandchildren and great grandchildren you would of loved each and everyone of them. They would of made you so happy. I know dad and mom you are with us in our hearts. One day we will be together, until then. You are my SUNSHINE. Love Patti"

""A Salute to Our Soldier!" You have taught this family so much ~ guidance, love, and above all respect. It is a honor to call, you sir! But even a greater honor to have called you "Grandpa!"Love you and Miss you bunches ~ Jenny"

"Happy Veterans Day Grandpa!! You are forever a hero in our family but also a true hero to our country!! Thank you so much for setting your life out on the line for all of us, then to return home and continue the legacy by raising a wonderful famliy. I am so grateful for your steadfastness, loyalty, and love you gave to all of us and set as a guidline to live by. You are forever missed!"

"My dear wonderful dad, I miss you more than you will ever know. Your always in my heart, and there are so many memories to share with my children and grandchildren of you. Someday I will get to see you again, until then, "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, MY ONLY SUNSHINE". Love you forever. Patti"

"Thank you grandpa for all the great memories. Sometimes I thought you were hard on Ryan and I but you were just teaching us to be men. I still listen to the polka show on Sundays specially during harvest. I wish I wish i could ride your 4020 fender one more time with you.Sure do miss you . Luv ya Scott"

"Sending birthday wishes up to heaven for you today! I'm so glad that Haley got to know you because she still remembers you and talks about you. I know that you would have loved to have met Adalyn and Craig. Although, Adalyn would probably be scared of you because you would say "kiss me baby, kiss me"! I love you and miss you Grandpa!"